Good eveningk @alanhansen. and welcome to Mayo Connect. I just noticed this post about your shoulder and my memory took me back to a similar life situation. I had injured and "over used" my right shoulder for several years. Softball and horseback riding along with a few falls here and there had left me with constant pain in my right shoulder. Building and remodeling homes also forced my right shoulder to keep "whining". So I agreed to the first repair surgery. It turned out well and then I fell down the mountain at the American Legion. With multiple breaks in the elbow and more serious injuries in the shoulder the surgeon gave it another chance with shoulder repairs. Unfortunately, that wasn't quite enough.
About that time shoulder replacement surgery was becoming successful in France. After hearing about the results in the US in Florida and Washington state, he flew to the East Coast to learn how to accomplish the reverse shoulder replacement. He returned with some films that he shared with me and began the greatest struggle......convincing the insurance company to pay for the reverse shoulder sugery. As you might imagine, the insurance folks wanted an older patient so that there wouldn't be lot of years left for me to bang it up again.
The surgery day arrived and there was quite an audience including some engineers or so I was told. My surgeon actually stayed with me in my room that evening and the anesthesist stoppped by to make sure I could sleep.
My recovery was well supported. Even the Physical Therapist worked with the surgeon to make sure they were giving my shoulder every chance. I am living the rest of my life with the comfortable use of rwo shoulders.
Soooo......what do you think?
Please let me know what you decide. There have been lots of improvements. Now you can have the replacement made to fit you well. And the post surgery care is much more timely and affective.
Let me know if you have additional questions or worries.
Chris
Good morning Chris, Thanks for all your feedback and the experiences you shared. Any information is great when making decisions. Your experience(s) have enlightened me. Right now I am set to meet with the surgeon on March 4. I will definitely stay in touch. My dietician recommended eating more Avacado’s Blueberries and strawberries to assist in keeping inflammation down. This should be an interesting adventure.
All the best! Alan
I've recently had the reverse shoulder replacement surgery and have started physical therapy. How soon could I expect to reach the recommended range of motion with the PT. Currently, I can do the elbow flexion and extension as directed, the shoulder external rotation is within a few inches of being at 0%, but elevation of the elbow to a 90 degree angle is minimal, at 2-6 inches at best without pain. I was coached to not work through resistance or pain. Is this normal progress? I'm 11 days out from surgery. Thanks.
I am seventy-five years old and had the reverse shoulder replacement twelve das ago. I left the hospital after the surgery that day. The doctor prescribed pain medicine and inflammatory medicine. Since I had minimal pain I opted to take Tylenol and baby aspirin, but I do take the inflammatory medicine daily.
It is too early to tell if my range of movement improved. I religiously follow the post op instructions, arm in sling 24/7. Nothing heavier then a pen in my left hand. I see the doctor in five days to remove stiches and start Physical Therapy.
Bottom Line: I am pleasantly surprised that my pain level is about a 1-2 out of 10. I realize it is very early in my recovery process but compared to the pain and mobility before the operation, I am grateful that I opted for the surgery. At this point, I am looking forward to reverse shoulder replacement on my right shoulder. More to follow as I recover. I am keeping a log of my post op progress.
Hi wondering how your recovery is coming along.
I'm 75 as well and RSR has been recommended because of bone on bone arthritis. My issue is more about mobility then pain...although if I move the arm in the wrong direction it definitely lets me know. Also concerned about the window starting to close as I get older.
Hope youre coming along well.
Hi wondering how your recovery is coming along.
I'm 75 as well and RSR has been recommended because of bone on bone arthritis. My issue is more about mobility then pain...although if I move the arm in the wrong direction it definitely lets me know. Also concerned about the window starting to close as I get older.
Hope youre coming along well.
I am going through a really good time. Two things are putting me above where u was before, as far as I can determine.
Water exercises and Turmeric with Ginger. I felt a difference after about a month. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
Good luck to you. Not anxious for any surgeries.
@philly07 what ever you do expect an 8 month to more than a year recovery time. This all depends on you current physicality as well, how good the surgeon is (how many of these surgeries do they do), failure rates, etc. Hopefully you’ll have the assistance you’ll need post operatively. One recommendation though, if it’s your dominant side learn to clean yourself with the other side now. Good luck.
@philly07 what ever you do expect an 8 month to more than a year recovery time. This all depends on you current physicality as well, how good the surgeon is (how many of these surgeries do they do), failure rates, etc. Hopefully you’ll have the assistance you’ll need post operatively. One recommendation though, if it’s your dominant side learn to clean yourself with the other side now. Good luck.
Had a fractured left shoulder but the doctor would not operate due to my age. He does not operate on anyone over 90. So I have suffered with the problem. I guess not more to be done with it. I do shoulder exercise to keep it limber etc.
I would FIND SOMEONE else. It's terrible when a provider has that type of outlook on someone.
It is one thing to not feel one has the experience to operate.
It is quite another to tell someone they are "too old".
Don't stop trying to get support and keep moving!
There may be minimal options that don't require surgery.
I am seventy-five years old and had the reverse shoulder replacement twelve das ago. I left the hospital after the surgery that day. The doctor prescribed pain medicine and inflammatory medicine. Since I had minimal pain I opted to take Tylenol and baby aspirin, but I do take the inflammatory medicine daily.
It is too early to tell if my range of movement improved. I religiously follow the post op instructions, arm in sling 24/7. Nothing heavier then a pen in my left hand. I see the doctor in five days to remove stiches and start Physical Therapy.
Bottom Line: I am pleasantly surprised that my pain level is about a 1-2 out of 10. I realize it is very early in my recovery process but compared to the pain and mobility before the operation, I am grateful that I opted for the surgery. At this point, I am looking forward to reverse shoulder replacement on my right shoulder. More to follow as I recover. I am keeping a log of my post op progress.
I've had both knees replaced and one hip. Next week, I'm getting my left shoulder replaced, an anatomical TSR, so not a reverse.
I'm in so much pain now that I welcome the surgery. From the other joint replacements, following post-op rehab protocol is THE determining factor in your recovery - well and yes, a great surgeon!
I'm 70 now, and I know not everyone has great experience with joint replacement. But medical science has come far, as has the technology and the surgeons. By all means research surgeons. I like a surgeon in their mid 30s to late 40s, with a solid med school and/or residency/fellowship pedigree - and one who has already done thousands of operations, with references.
At age 70 I had a RTS replacement of Left shoulder for arthritis & torn rotator cuff. I had 6 weeks of physical therapy & all healed well. 7 months later I had another RTS replacement of Right shoulder again for arthritis & torn rotator cuff. Now in physical therapy and doing well. Since having them done i appreciate how much pain I was enduring. No more limited range of motion, pain in significantly less. Again using the same surgeon & same therapists all is doing awesome!! I ask myself why did I wait so long!! I keep up with my exercises at home to make sure it all keeps functioning as intended. Have also had both knees replaced at the same time but ended up with a lasting physical side effect that 1-2% of people have post knee replacement. Have tried to see if anything could be done as medicine has advanced in the 12 years since I had them done, but nothing seems to be able to fix it!!
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Good morning Chris, Thanks for all your feedback and the experiences you shared. Any information is great when making decisions. Your experience(s) have enlightened me. Right now I am set to meet with the surgeon on March 4. I will definitely stay in touch. My dietician recommended eating more Avacado’s Blueberries and strawberries to assist in keeping inflammation down. This should be an interesting adventure.
All the best! Alan
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1 ReactionI've recently had the reverse shoulder replacement surgery and have started physical therapy. How soon could I expect to reach the recommended range of motion with the PT. Currently, I can do the elbow flexion and extension as directed, the shoulder external rotation is within a few inches of being at 0%, but elevation of the elbow to a 90 degree angle is minimal, at 2-6 inches at best without pain. I was coached to not work through resistance or pain. Is this normal progress? I'm 11 days out from surgery. Thanks.
Hi wondering how your recovery is coming along.
I'm 75 as well and RSR has been recommended because of bone on bone arthritis. My issue is more about mobility then pain...although if I move the arm in the wrong direction it definitely lets me know. Also concerned about the window starting to close as I get older.
Hope youre coming along well.
I am going through a really good time. Two things are putting me above where u was before, as far as I can determine.
Water exercises and Turmeric with Ginger. I felt a difference after about a month. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
Good luck to you. Not anxious for any surgeries.
@philly07 what ever you do expect an 8 month to more than a year recovery time. This all depends on you current physicality as well, how good the surgeon is (how many of these surgeries do they do), failure rates, etc. Hopefully you’ll have the assistance you’ll need post operatively. One recommendation though, if it’s your dominant side learn to clean yourself with the other side now. Good luck.
My son bought a Bidet.
Had a fractured left shoulder but the doctor would not operate due to my age. He does not operate on anyone over 90. So I have suffered with the problem. I guess not more to be done with it. I do shoulder exercise to keep it limber etc.
I would FIND SOMEONE else. It's terrible when a provider has that type of outlook on someone.
It is one thing to not feel one has the experience to operate.
It is quite another to tell someone they are "too old".
Don't stop trying to get support and keep moving!
There may be minimal options that don't require surgery.
Thanks Luke.
I've had both knees replaced and one hip. Next week, I'm getting my left shoulder replaced, an anatomical TSR, so not a reverse.
I'm in so much pain now that I welcome the surgery. From the other joint replacements, following post-op rehab protocol is THE determining factor in your recovery - well and yes, a great surgeon!
I'm 70 now, and I know not everyone has great experience with joint replacement. But medical science has come far, as has the technology and the surgeons. By all means research surgeons. I like a surgeon in their mid 30s to late 40s, with a solid med school and/or residency/fellowship pedigree - and one who has already done thousands of operations, with references.
Joe
At age 70 I had a RTS replacement of Left shoulder for arthritis & torn rotator cuff. I had 6 weeks of physical therapy & all healed well. 7 months later I had another RTS replacement of Right shoulder again for arthritis & torn rotator cuff. Now in physical therapy and doing well. Since having them done i appreciate how much pain I was enduring. No more limited range of motion, pain in significantly less. Again using the same surgeon & same therapists all is doing awesome!! I ask myself why did I wait so long!! I keep up with my exercises at home to make sure it all keeps functioning as intended. Have also had both knees replaced at the same time but ended up with a lasting physical side effect that 1-2% of people have post knee replacement. Have tried to see if anything could be done as medicine has advanced in the 12 years since I had them done, but nothing seems to be able to fix it!!